Reference sheet
Capacitor codes
104 = 100 nF — decode the three-digit marking and its tolerance letter
Capacitor marking codes
Small capacitors carry a three-digit code: two significant figures and a multiplier, in PICOFARADS — 104 = 10 × 10⁴ pF = 100 nF. A trailing letter is the tolerance. (The Calculators tab has an interactive decoder under Component color codes.)
| Marking | Value | Read as |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 10 pF | 10 × 10⁰ |
| 101 | 100 pF | 10 × 10¹ |
| 102 | 1 nF | 10 × 10² |
| 103 | 10 nF | 10 × 10³ |
| 104 | 100 nF | the decoupling classic |
| 105 | 1 µF | 10 × 10⁵ |
| 221 | 220 pF | 22 × 10¹ |
| 223 | 22 nF | 22 × 10³ |
| 473 | 47 nF | 47 × 10³ |
| 474 | 470 nF | 47 × 10⁴ |
| 4n7 / 4.7n | 4.7 nF | European style — the letter is the decimal point |
| n47 | 470 pF | 0.47 nF |
| Tolerance letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| J | ±5 % |
| K | ±10 % |
| M | ±20 % |
| F | ±1 % |
| G | ±2 % |
| Z | +80 / −20 % |
